Germany’s Third Voluntary National Review (VNR) to the HLPF 2025

    Pollutant-free environment A global climate initiative in the nitric acid sector: the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group

    Nitrous oxide (dinitrogen monoxide – N2O), also known as laughing gas, is a highly potent greenhouse gas that is 273 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide (CO2). One of the major industrial sources of N₂O emissions is the production of nitric acid, which is mainly used in fertiliser manufacturing and the mining industry.

    In order to establish the global nitric acid industry on a climate-friendly footing, the BMUKN launched the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG) in 2015. NACAG aims to create incentives for the installation of effective nitrous oxide (N2O) abatement technology in all nitric acid plants worldwide. To this end, NACAG offers technical and financial assistance to partner countries.

    In order to support the climate-friendly transformation of the global nitric acid sector, NACAG offers all governments and plant operators guidance and information on technological and regulatory aspects of N2O abatement. It also provides financial support for partner countries that are willing to harness this potential and take responsibility for implementing abatement measures after the funding ends – for example, within the framework of their national climate targets (NDCs) and through appropriate policy measures and regulations.

    Interested countries are invited to join the Action Group by signing the NACAG Declaration. The initiative, which is managed by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, offers its partners and plant operators advisory services on regulatory issues, as well as technical support in the use of available abatement technologies.


    As at: 17.06.2025